Pols Turn Up the Heat on 42-Story Tower

The developer of a 42-story tower is facing criticism from local politicians for refusing to include a public space in the building, causing one councilwoman to make overtures about filing a lawsuit against the project.

The Dermot Company broke ground on its building, dubbed 29 Flatbush, late in December thanks to a state loan of $90 million that saved the stalled project from failure.

Now, four local politicians are pressing Dermot for concessions that will ensure that local residents get their piece of the pie.

“Responsible development requires meaningful community engagement,” said District Leader Lincoln Restler, who was one of the politicians who signed a letter to Dermot that was given to Fort Greene Patch. “For community residents to embrace a project, especially of this scale, there needs to be some dialogue of the outcome that will achieved by the development.”

One of the key requests from the quartet of pols was “designating a space for a community facility,” in the tower being built between Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue.

“[Dermot] flat-out denied any community space,” said Alfred Chiodo, an aide to Councilwoman Letitia James, D-Fort Greene.

But the lack of a public space is only one gripe James has with the project.

“I’m consulting with counsel, I’m pursuing this outside the normal channels,” said James. “There are issues with regard to process that raise some legal concerns [with the developer].”

Drew Spitler, an executive at Dermot, would not comment on any of the issues raised in the letter, or the possibility of a lawsuit against his company.

James also would not elaborate on the details of the legal issues, but a source said that there were questions regarding the acquisition of one plot of city-owned property on the project’s footprint.

But according to Rob Perris, the District Manager of Community Board 2, the plot was not subject to the standard public review process.

“I’ve reviewed the… application, and it appears to give blanket authorization to dispose of the city-owned property in perpetuity,” said Perris.

Still, concern is brewing over the impact of the project, which will include 327 residential units for rent and 200 parking spaces.

On March 9 representatives from Dermot will go before Community Board 2 to present their project and take questions from locals.

“This should be a great opportunity for residents to hear their plans,” said Restler. “I hope it’s not too late for new ideas to be incorporated.”